SC stays Uttarakhand HC prohibition order in three district

The Supreme Court today stayed the order of the Uttarakhand High Court asking the state government to put a complete ban on sale and consumption of liquor in three districts where the four famous Himalayan shrines, also known as the 'Chardham', are located.
A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud issued notice and sought response of the parties on whose plea the high court had on December 8 last year ordered prohibition.
The Uttarakhand government has challenged the high court's verdict before the apex court.
The high court had directed the state government to impose a complete ban on liquor in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts from the next fiscal (2017-18).

The high-altitude Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines are located in Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts respectively whereas Gangotri and Yamunotri temple are situated in Uttarkashi district.
The high court had observed that a complete ban was required at least in these districts considering the growing tendency to consume liquor among the youngsters.

The court had also asked the state government to impose prohibition on public drinking and take steps to check "large drunken gatherings".
It had said there should be no liquor shop from the next financial year within one kilometre radius of an educational institution or a religious place.
It had also asked the state government to put a ban on sale of tobacco within a radius of five kilometre from Gurdwara Nanakmatta, Gurdwara Meetha Reetha Sahib and Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib.